Lighthouse Keepers
The keeper of light
May Mens group
Notes as I prepare for this months mens group.
Magnifying glass and sunlight.
Pruning trees to get better growth.
Purpose produces passion
Context:
Butt dial vs a booty call
The devil doesn't need to destroy you, he just needs to distract you!
Overwhelmed or distracted?
Repentance:
Repentance is a process of turning away from sin and turning back to God, seeking forgiveness and a new relationship with Him. It involves acknowledging wrongdoings, feeling regret, and making a sincere commitment to change one's behavior and way of thinking.
The root word for "repentance" in Greek is metanoia, which is composed of two parts: "meta" (meaning "after" or "change") and "noeo" (meaning "to think" or "to perceive"). Essentially, metanoia translates to "change of mind" or "after-thought". In the context of the New Testament, metanoia is used to describe a fundamental shift in one's attitude and behavior, often in response to the gospel message.
The Bible addresses the concept of distractions in various ways, often warning about things that divert attention from God, faithfulness, or one’s purpose. Here are several themes and examples:
1. Distractions from God
•Luke 10:38–42 – Mary and Martha: Martha is distracted by her preparations, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is better, highlighting the importance of prioritizing time with God over busyness.
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f]Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
•Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This verse underscores the importance of keeping God as the primary focus.
Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted.
Planning ahead:
Goals
Steps
Schedules
Trusting in Gods guidance
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Martha was “worried and upset about many things,” while Mary chose the “one thing” that mattered—Jesus.
Key Point: Good things can become distractions if they pull us away from the best thing—time with God.
Reflection: Are your daily routines crowding out time with God?
2. Distractions of the World
•1 John 2:15–17 – The love of the world (pleasures, possessions, pride) is warned against as it draws believers away from doing the will of God.
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever
•Mark 4:18–19 – In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talks about seeds choked by “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things,” which prevent fruitfulness.
18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
The worries of life, deceitfulness of wealth, and desire for things can choke God’s Word.
Key Point: What grabs our attention can gradually take our affection.
Reflection: What worldly desires might be pulling your focus from God’s truth?
3. Distractions from Calling or Purpose
•Nehemiah 6:1–4 – Nehemiah resists repeated attempts to distract him from rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall. His response: “I am doing a great work and cannot come down,” is a powerful example of resisting distraction to stay on mission.
•Galatians 5:7–8 – “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” Paul points to how outside influence can derail spiritual momentum.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
It only takes one person in a group to cloud the message!
9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Nehemiah said, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.”
Key Point: Distractions often come when you’re doing something important for God.
Reflection: What “great work” has God given you that you need to stay committed to?
“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you?”
Key Point: Even spiritually mature people can be sidetracked.
Reflection: What or who might be “cutting in” on your spiritual momentum?
4. Mental and Spiritual Focus (focus on positive) New car is everywhere when you find the car you want.
•Philippians 4:8 – Encourages believers to focus their minds on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
•Hebrews 12:1–2 – Calls us to “throw off everything that hinders” and “fix our eyes on Jesus,” the ultimate model of focused endurance.
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Choose friends who are committed to the race
Shed activities and add back slowly
Get help for addictions that disable you.
Think of things that are noble and pure; fix your eyes on Jesus.
Spiritual focus is intentional—it starts with where you set your mind.
Reflection: What thoughts or habits need to be adjusted so you can better fix your eyes on Christ?
Closing words:
Distractions are part of life, but they don’t have to define your life. With God’s help, you can live with focus, purpose, and peace. Keep your eyes on Jesus and stay rooted in what matters most.
How to?
A goal set. A true north!
From Purpose Driven Life.
Knowing your purpose simplifies your life. It defines what you do and what you don't do. Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren't. You simply ask, "Does this activity help me fulfill one of God's purposes for my life?"
Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources. You will tend to make choices based on circumstances, pressures, and your mood at that moment. People who don't know their purpose try to do too much—and that causes stress, fatigue, and conflict.
God will ask you two questions?
What did you do with my son?
What did you do with what I gave you?
Excited to see what this research showed you on Sunday!